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The transfer window opens tomorrow and there has been a lot of speculation about the future of Boro stalwart Dani Ayala.

The Spanish stopper is in the last six months of his deal and has been linked with Leeds and Fulham among others.

But the hands-on defender insists that he is going nowhere and plans to still be a Boro player at the end of the month.

As far as he is concerned the only January movement that matters is Boro’s progress up the table.

“Of course I see all the media speculation, my friends send me all the stories to read and that is normal,” he said.

“But really I have to tell you that I am only concentrating on Middlesbrough and I’m not thinking about leaving in January or anything like that.

“Sometimes in football things happen that are beyond your control but unless something really big happens - and I don’t think it will - I will definitely be at Middlesbrough until the end of the season.

The Boro players celebrate Dani Ayala's goal at West Brom

“I have been here seven years and I’ve said before, I love this club. I don’t really think about going elsewhere.

“I just want to stay here and finish this season as well as I can and then let’s see what happens.”

Ayala arrived initially on loan in October 2013 when Mark Venus was caretaker in a move brokered by Tony Mowbray before his exit then signed a real deal with Aitor Karanka when the window next opened in the January.

That £350,000 move from Norwich has proved a real snip with the centre-back having clocked up 214 games and 10 goals in almost seven years.

He was a keystone in a rock solid defence that rattled up clean sheet records under Aitor Karanka in the play-off push and promotion seasons.

And he has matured into one of the most physically imposing and tough tackling defenders in the division.

Ayala's man of the match display at West Brom on Sunday only served out outline his value to Middlesbrough.

So there is no surprise he has suitors. And Boro want him to stay too - although they can’t match his current wage packet, signed when Boro were in the Premier League and before the current round of belt tightening.

Daniel Ayala celebrates scoring the opener against West Brom

Ayala would be open to talks on a new deal but as yet there is nothing in the pipeline.

“Not at the moment,” said. Although he added: “I’m not really concentrating on my contract right now.

“The most important thing is the club concentrates on escaping the relegation battle.

“We need to focus on picking up points and we can soon be in mid-table.

“Everything else can wait until the end of the season.”

But while Ayala says he has no plans for January there is sure to be comings and goings around the club.

Boss Jonathan Woodgate has made no secret that his thin squad needs beefing up, especially at the sharp end.

Boro have been strongly linked with Aberdeen striker Sam Cosgrove with the Scottish club said to be asking around £4m for the 20 goal hitman.

And they have also been reported to be eyeing up Peterborough frontman Marcus Maddison, although they are unlikely to trigger a £2.5m release clause in a deal that runs out in the summer.

Daniel Ayala heads Boro into the lead at West Brom

It may mean that a first team player is cashed in to fund a reshuffle. West Ham said to be keen on their former keeper Darren Randolph while the whispers around Britt Assombalonga won’t go away.

So while Ayala may not be involved, he does expect a month of change in the dressing room.

“Yes, of course January can be disruptive for everyone but that is football,” he said.

“The way I see it is that I am not going anywhere but it is really important for the club to do some good business and bring in two or three players even if it is on loan because at the moment we have a thin squad and we need some players.

“I think we need players in every area of the pitch. We are lacking in every department.

“Especially at the moment we have a lot of injuries and a lot of big players have been out.